Burma army uses cluster bombs to take key KIO position near Laiza

The KIA headquarters Laiza

Following heavy fighting troops from Burma's military forced troops loyal to the Kachin Independence Organization to abandon Hka Ya Bum, a hill top of strategic significance located near Laiza, on Saturday.

Last weekend the army stepped up its attacks on Hka Ya Bum, located west of the KIO's de facto capital, just hours after President Thein Sein's unilateral cease-fire was supposed to go into effect.

Forces from the KIO's armed-wing the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) had to be withdrawn from Hka Ya Bum at noon on Saturday after government troops fired what are believed to be a series of cluster bombs at the post, according to a Laiza based major from the group.

The munitions were fired by Burma army units stationed at Gangdau Yang.  This appears to be the first time that the Burma army has used cluster bombs since the Kachin conflict began in June 2011, the major said.

Cluster bombs are a specialized form of munitions that release explosive bomblets over their target area.  The bomblets are intended to kill enemy personnel and destroy vehicles but can remain in the area where they were fired years after a conflict is over.  Killing civilians long after they were originally deployed.  Burma is not a signatory to the international Convention on Cluster Munitions ratified by 77 nations which bans their use and production.  Likewise none of Burma's known weapon's suppliers China, India and Russia have signed on to the treaty.  The US is not a signatory either.

Hka Ya Bum is one of three former KIO positions close to Laiza that have been taken by government troops since Christmas.

Beginning last month the Burma army launched a massive offensive on Lajayang, a strategic village long held by the KIO located less than 6 miles from Laiza.  During the offensive the army used Chinese made K-8 fighter jets, Russian MI helicopters and repeatedly shelled the area using105 mm and 120 mm cannons.  According to the KIO, government troops also fired chemical laced mortars, which made many of the Kachin troops seriously ill.

Lah Nan, Deputy General Secretary-2 of the KIO's who serves as the group's chief spokesperson told the Kachin News Group that the KIO can still hold on to Laiza despite the recent setbacks.

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